Glu Mobile Acquires Leading UK-Based Mobile Entertainment Publisher iFone
Deal Strengthens Glu's Position as a Global Leader in Mobile Marketplace
Adds Sonic the Hedgehog, Monopoly, and Atari Classics to Portfolio
SAN MATEO, Calif - April 4, 2006 - Glu Mobile, a leading developer and global publisher of mobile entertainment, today announced the acquisition of iFone, a leading global wireless entertainment publisher based in Manchester, UK. The acquisition of iFone strengthens Glu's position as one of the premier worldwide publishers of mobile games and reinforces Glu's marketing and sales capabilities throughout Europe.
As part of the acquisition, Glu will obtain global rights to iFone's top-selling titles including MONOPOLY, LEMMINGST and ATARI Classics, and European rights to iFone's latest run away hit, SEGA's SONIC THE HEDGEHOG.
"Worldwide success in the mobile games business is predicated on great brands, quality adaptation of those brands to the mobile platform, and exceptional deployment execution," said Greg Ballard, president and chief executive officer, Glu Mobile. "The combination of Glu and iFone will perform these essentials better than anyone in the business."
iFone was named the top-performing mobile games publisher in 2004 and 2005 according to a yearly analysis of the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) Mobile Charts conducted by the Informa Telecoms & Media publication, Mobile Games Analyst. iFone was also recently recognized as the second fastest-growing technology company according to the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 league table.
"This deal brings together two significant global players to create a leader in the mobile entertainment business" said David Ward, chairman of the board, iFone. "It allows Glu to fully exploit iFone's exceptional sales and marketing force throughout Europe and adds considerable leverage to our extensive portfolio of intellectual property and compelling content particularly in the US and southeast Asian markets."
Nick Lane, principal analyst, mobile content and applications at Informa Telecoms & Media commented, "Acquiring iFone will boost Glu's distribution and marketing capabilities, as well as deliver a strong portfolio of brands. These are all essential attributes at a time when mobile operators are reducing the number of publishers they deal with directly, and large console publishers and media companies are
entering the market."
A Mobile Entertainment report, published in August 2005 by Informa Telecoms & Media predicts that by 2010, the global mobile games market will be worth $11.2 billion.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Glu Mobile
Glu Mobile is a leading developer and global publisher of mobile entertainment. Glu's portfolio of games, ringtones, wallpapers and information applications include both original titles and entertainment based on major brands including Atari, Cartoon Network, FOX Sports Interactive, Hasbro, PopCap Games, Twentieth Century Fox and Celador International. Based in San Mateo, California with offices in London and Hong Kong, Glu is funded by top venture firms NEA, BA Venture Partners, Granite Global Ventures, Sienna Ventures and Globespan Capital Partners, and by Time Warner Investments. Consumers can find fresh entertainment created exclusively for their mobile phones wherever they see the 'g' character logo or at www.glu.com.
GLU MOBILE, GLU, and the 'g' character logo are trademarks of Glu Mobile. All other names and trademarks are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Press Contacts:
Chris Clark
Alta PR for Glu
415.503.3925
chris@altapr.com
Emma Brown
iFone
+44 (0)161 827 8200
e.brown@ifone.com
John Ozimek
Glu EMEA
+44 (0)20 7368 1122
john.ozimek@glu.com